From the Center to the North – 10 days

Depart for My Son Sanctuary, Vietnam's foremost Cham archaeological site and a UNESCO World Heritage site, located 40 km from Hoi An. This was the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom from the 4th to the 13th century. Explore the impressive red-brick and stone tower-sanctuaries, perfectly illustrating Hinduism's spiritual influence. You may also catch a performance of traditional Champa dances before returning to Hoi An.

Afternoon: Visit Hoi An, the main trading port of Annam in the 17th and 18th centuries. Today, it preserves its charming old-world character and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take a walk through narrow streets lined with houses of Chinese, Japanese, and French architecture, and visit:

• The Japanese Covered Bridge, built in the 17th century, maintains its original character.
• The Phuc Kien Temple, built in the 17th century, was once the meeting hall for residents and traders of the Chinese community from Fujian.
• An old wooden house of wealthy merchants: Tan Ky or Phung Hung or Quan Thang.
• A Museum: either the Museum of Ceramics or the Cultural Museum of Sa Huynh.

Enjoy a tranquil stroll through the streets of Hoi An, where you can explore art galleries and custom tailor shops. Visit the "Precious Heritage" gallery-museum by the French photographer Réhahn.

Overnight at the hotel in Hoi An.

Morning: Take a bike ride through the countryside of Hoi An, passing through Cam Thanh village, an area covered by the Nipa palm mangrove. Then, visit the vegetable village of Tra Que, where you'll discover the traditional farming techniques of the local residents. Visit the village of Cam Thanh, an area covered by the Nipa palm mangrove. Board a round bamboo basket boat used for generations by locals for sea fishing. Glide peacefully along picturesque small canals with landscapes of mangroves, lagoons, and water coconut trees—a serene experience. Learn about the locals' crab-fishing technique and how to make fun tools with coconut leaves.

Afternoon: Free time at leisure.

Optional: Visit Thanh Ha pottery village or Transfer to the Indochine Distillery at the beach south of Hoi An, where you can discover the rum-making process. Alternatively, you can participate in a cooking class.

Morning: Head to Da Nang, visit the Cham Museum in Da Nang, housing a collection of sculptures from the vanished Champa Kingdoms (8th-13th centuries) then visit the Marble Mountains.

Afternoon: Train ride from Danang to Hue, an unusual experience that allows you to have a magnificent view of Lang Co beach at the exit of Hai Van tunnel. The driver will pick you up at Hue train station and transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in Hue.

Morning: Visit the Imperial City, the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty, the last feudal dynasty of Vietnam. It consists of three parts: The Citadel (Thanh Noi), the Imperial City (Hoang Thanh), and the Forbidden Purple City (Cam Thanh). Explore various main monuments: Flag Tower, Nine Cannons, Noon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, Thai Dich Lake, nine urns from the Nguyen Dynasty, the Forbidden Purple City, Temple of Worship of the Nguyen Kings, etc.

Continue with the Thien Mu Pagoda, one of Hue's iconic landmarks. Visit its 21-meter octagonal tower, built-in 1601, representing the 7 reincarnations of Buddha.

Afternoon: Depart upstream on the Huong River, visit the tomb of Gia Long – the founder of the Nguyen dynasty.

Next, visit the Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, an architectural complex that harmoniously highlights nature and imperial religious works. It consists of 40 structures in a 26-hectare space dominated by mountains and rivers. The tomb's design was planned during Minh Mang's reign (1820-1840), and it was built afterward by his successor, King Thieu Tri, with the help of ten thousand workers and artisans.

Overnight at the hotel in Hue.

Transfer to the airport for the morning flight from Hue to Hanoi.

Visit to the Temple of Literature, the first national university built in 1070 where royal descendants and children of mandarins pursued their studies to become scholars and high officials. This temple is also the site to honor Confucius and the Scholars of the Kingdom. With its original architecture arranged between courtyards, ponds, and gardens, it is a true haven of peace and greenery in the heart of the capital.

Then, visit the Old Quarter of Hanoi, known as the commercial center of the capital bordered by the elegant Hoan Kiem Lake. Despite the passage of time, the Old Quarter is known as an open-air museum of the capital: Unique tube houses, narrow alleys, temples, and bustling markets

Overnight in Hanoi

Cruise in Bai Tu Long Bay, Cong Do, Cap La, kayak activity.

8:00-9:00 AM: Transfer from Hanoi to Sun Pier in Halong via the highway.

Boarding at noon.

12:15 PM: Transfer to the hotel boat by a small boat for 5 minutes.

12:30 PM: Welcome drink and a brief presentation of safety instructions on board and the itinerary.

1:00 PM: Lunch on board as the boat sails to Bai Tu Long Bay.

3:30 PM: The boat sails to the Cap La Cong Do region. Admire beautiful limestone peaks emerging from emerald waters. Kayaking activity amidst karst rocks.

5:30 PM: Return to the boat and relax on the upper deck as the boat sails towards Cong Dong and Cong Do.

6:30 PM: Vietnamese cuisine demonstration.

7:00 PM: Dinner on board. Free evening for cuttlefish fishing.

Overnight on board.

Rowing sampan to visit the fishing village.

6:30 AM: Tai Chi exercise on the upper deck or enjoy the sunrise in Bai Tu Long Bay amid beautiful karst landscapes while sipping tea or coffee.

7:00 AM: Light breakfast on board as the boat sails to the Vung Vieng fishing floating village (45 minutes cruise).

7:45 AM: Visit Vung Vieng village by bamboo rowing sampan to discover the life of local fishermen.

9:00 AM: Return to the boat.

10:00 AM: Cruise back to the pier and have an early lunch on board.

11:15 – 11:30 AM: Disembark at Sun Pier.

On the way to Ninh Binh.

Coach trip to Tam Coc. Cycle to Bich Dong Pagoda, passing through the Dam Khe village. A stop will allow you to take beautiful photos of rice fields, water buffaloes, and friendly locals. Halt near a cemetery to better understand Vietnamese customs and traditions regarding the deceased.

Visit Bich Dong - an ancient typical pagoda dating back to the 15th century to enhance your knowledge of Buddhism in Vietnam. First, cross a stone bridge over a lake leading to Chua Ha. In summer, you can smell a pleasant fragrance from lotus flowers cultivated in this small lake. Then, climb over 100 steps to reach the splendid cave temples of Bich Dong: Trung and Thuong pagodas. From there, you'll have a beautiful panoramic view of the countryside.

Afternoon: Visit Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2014, recognized for its natural splendor and impressive karst peak formations. This site served as the natural backdrop in the latest series of "Kong: Skull Island" films. The highlight of this sampan ride: a loop lasting about 2.5 hours.

Board a traditional sampan boat that will follow the flow and enter a series of caves. As you emerge from these caves, you'll enter a new world hidden in the heart of valleys, in complete tranquility. Glide peacefully on a rowing sampan on the river with clear emerald-colored water, overlooking karst mountains covered with tropical plants that stretch to the horizon.

Disembark for a walk through Pagodas and peaceful Temples venerating the most famous Mandarins of the Tran Dynasty. At the Presentation Temple stop, you'll see troops of red carp swimming and surfacing, a fun moment especially for children. The sampan excursion will continue, and you'll enjoy enchanting landscapes until returning to the pier.

Back to Hanoi

Free time at leisure until transfer to the airport for departure flight.